World Cup Power Ranking: Who will be crowned World Champion?

The "Nati" has achieved its best World Cup result since 1954 - thus accomplishing what Austria so eagerly hoped for.

As the only team, Switzerland only reached the quarter-finals after a penalty shootout, following a goalless 120 minutes against Colombia. This may also have been due to the absence of their most prolific Swiss player in this World Cup due to injury: Johan Manzambi. The outlook for the shooting star's quarter-final participation is also not good (All info >>>).

Murat Yakin and his men stand for balance, playing with a flexible system. Against World Champions Argentina, however, it will be an uphill battle.

They keep getting better.

Belgium's group stage was at least mixed, and they barely scraped through in the round of 32 against Senegal.

In the highly explosive clash with the USA, however, the "Red Devils" delivered their best tournament performance – by far. Rudi Garcia's surprising decision to leave Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku on the bench paid off. Charles de Ketelaere finally clicked, and Romelu Lukaku continues to function as a super-sub.

Will that be enough against the incredibly solid Spaniards? Probably not.

Wow - the Vikings are indeed continuing their wave of success and pulled off the first big surprise of this knockout phase with a 2:1 victory against Brazil.

However, a look at Erling Haaland after the final whistle showed: Norway isn't just happy to get this far. Norway wants to keep "rowing". Against Brazil, they were on equal terms, although Ørjan Nyland covered up defensive weaknesses with strong saves. Because they often play too passively at the back.

Nevertheless: The way Haaland carries his nation on his shoulders is reminiscent of Gareth Bale and Wales in their heyday. They reached the Euro 2016 semi-finals and were eliminated by the eventual winners...

34 consecutive games without defeat - if you include the 3:0 Africa Cup final win awarded off the pitch.

No other quarter-finalist has a longer unbeaten run. Morocco extended this with a 3:0 win against Canada - though the scoreline only tells part of the story. The 2022 World Cup semi-finalist simply proved more efficient, scoring their second and third goals quite late – and also had a bit of luck.

All of that - and a player who can somehow replace Ismael Saibari - is needed at a minimum to have any chance against France. Even then, the repeat of the 2022 semi-final will be a Herculean task.

Where has Argentina's stability gone?

For the second consecutive game, the reigning World Champions had to come from behind. And their opponents, Cape Verde and Egypt, were not, on paper, at Argentina's level.

Lionel Messi had to set things straight again after a 0:2 deficit against the Pharaohs. However, the referee also played a certain part in the 3:2 turnaround, with his decisions at least fortunately favouring the "Albiceleste".

The trend is certainly not Argentina's 'friend': unlike Spain or England, their performances are getting worse rather than better as the tournament progresses. Fortunately - from Messi and Co.'s perspective - Switzerland, not exactly the strongest opponent, awaits them in the quarter-finals.

One could argue that the "Three Lions" had the toughest round of 16 match of all quarter-finalists.

Host Mexico, at the Azteca Stadium, at 2,241 meters altitude, playing over 40 minutes with ten men – very few teams manage to advance here.

The English passed their baptism of fire, demonstrating resilience above all else. Offensively, however, they are carried by the individual quality of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham.

They haven't fully convinced yet. At first glance, one might even say: the Tuchel team is doing it like Southgate's, but that's not true. Especially in their off-the-ball movements, in their deep block, and also in their pressing, the teams clearly differ. Is Football finally coming home? We'll see.

Teams that don't concede goals are hard to eliminate.

With Mexico's exit, "La Furia Roja" is the only remaining team with a clean sheet at this World Cup. In five matches, the European champions have allowed a total of 1.5 expected goals – Uruguay in second place (2.4 xG allowed) played two fewer matches.

How does Spain achieve this stability? Through almost complete control. Unlike England, Argentina, or Norway, the team also doesn't rely on one superstar. This is also because it's (yet) not Lamine Yamal's tournament. So there's even room for improvement.

To win a tournament like this, quality alone isn't enough.

This was demonstrated to "Les Bleus" against Paraguay, yet the team managed to clinch a gritty win – against an even grittier opponent.

Didier Deschamps' team demonstrated mentality in addition to their playing class. And they already have enough of the former. France therefore remains the top contender for the World Cup title – even with Morocco awaiting them in the quarter-finals.